Asia Maritime

A US Navy destroyer carried out a 'freedom of navigation operation' in the South China Sea

August 10, 2017

The
guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain sails in formation
during exercise Foal Eagle 2013 in waters west of the Korean
peninsula in this March 21, 2013 handout photo courtesy of the
U.S. Navy.REUTERS/U.S. Navy/Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Declan
Barnes/Handout

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a
“freedom of navigation operation” on Thursday, coming within 12
nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China in the
South China Sea, U.S. officials told Reuters.

The operation came as President Donald Trump’s administration
seeks Chinese cooperation in dealing with North Korea’s missile
and nuclear programs and could complicate efforts to secure a
common stance.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the USS
John S. McCain traveled close toMischief Reef in the
Spratly Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals.
China has territorial disputes with its neighbors over the area.

It was the third “freedom of navigation operation” or “fonop”
conducted during Trump’s presidency. Neither China’s defense
ministry nor its foreign ministry immediately responded to a
request for comment.

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington
sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the
strategic waters, and comes as Trump is seeking China’s
cooperation to rein in North Korea.

Tensions have risen recently after North Korea carried out two
nuclear tests last year and two ICBM tests last month, prompting
a strong round of U.N. sanctions which angered Pyongyang who
threatened to teach the United States a “severe lesson”.

Trump in turn responded by warning North Korea it would face
“fire and fury” if it further threatened the United States.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued a stark warning to North
Korea on Wednesday, telling Pyongyang that it should stop any
actions that would lead to the “end of its regime and the
destruction of its people.”

The United States has criticized China’s construction of islands
and build-up of military facilities in the sea, and is concerned
they could be used to restrict free nautical movement.

The U.S. military has a long-standing position that its
operations are carried out throughout the world, including in
areas claimed by allies, and they are separate from political
considerations.

The Trump administration has vowed to conduct more robust South
China Sea operations.

In July, a U.S. warship sailed near a disputed island in the
South China Sea claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam.

Experts and officials have criticized President Barack Obama for
potentially reinforcing China’s claims by sticking to innocent
passage, in which a warship effectively recognized a territorial
sea by crossing it speedily without stopping.

China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5
trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year are contested by
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.